Navigating the varying amount of legroom on airplanes can pose a challenge for frequent flyers. A recent study conducted by Upgraded Points analyzed the available legroom on popular routes of different airlines and ranked them accordingly. The study revealed that JetBlue emerged as the clear winner in terms of legroom, while Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines tied for 7th place.
Here is the complete ranking of airline seat legroom:
1. JetBlue – 32.3 inches
2. Southwest Airlines – 32 inches
3. Alaska Airlines/Delta Air Lines (Tie) – 31.8 inches
4. American Airlines – 31 inches
5. United Airlines – 30.2 inches
6. Hawaiian Airlines – 30.1 inches
7. Frontier Airlines/Spirit Airlines (Tie) – 28 inches
According to Alex Miller, the Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, the analysis was based on the seat pitch, which refers to the distance between a point on one seat and the same point on the seat in front of it, specifically for economy seats on the listed flights. The average legroom was calculated for each airline.
It’s important to note that the data collected focused solely on economy seats. To provide a comparison of legroom variations across different classes of service, the survey also listed United Airlines’ seat pitch at 30.2 inches, with Economy Plus seats offering 34 inches of legroom and United First Seats providing 37 inches.
The issue of legroom in airplane cabins has garnered attention from aviation regulators. In 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sought public comments from travelers regarding the pitch and length of passenger airline seats in the United States. The purpose of this exercise was to determine whether regulatory standards were necessary for the comfort of the traveling public.
In 2018, an Italian seat manufacturer introduced a seat concept called “SkyRider,” which offered minimal legroom and a nearly vertical standing position.